Battery cooling via AC

That's my view as well; the request to run A/C only occurs when I charge the car during an ambient high temperature. If the temperature WAS 85-90+ during the day, and now I'm charging the car and ambient temperature has cooled down substantially, no message pops up.

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AChoiredTaste.com

 

I still don't understand the logic of how the battery cooler feature works. You can only active the battery cooler when you shut down, and the battery is hot, and the timer is set. Which seems absolutely pointless. Who knows what the temperature of the battery will be hours later when the timer activates the charge cycle. It seems completely backwards. If you say charge NOW and the battery is hot, it seems that THAT is exactly when you would want to use the A/C for battery cooling

 

A question, once a selection is made on the battery cooler pop up, does that choice get saved, and becomes the default until it is switched?

As to not working with charge now, presumably you want charging to start right away so as much charge is gained before you return. Since the cooler increases the charge time, and thus decreases the amount of charge gained within the shortest time, Toyota likely decided people would rather have a fuller battery when using that option.

 

But as you wrote, if the battery is too hot, the system will decrease the charging current and thus it will take longer to charge anyway, so I'm not understanding the logic here.

 

With the cooler in use, the car may not start charging the battery until the temperature is brought down in the cabin. The program may run the AC at max for a bit before starting to charge. Which would not work with a literal charge now option.

 

I'm really not following the details, but just thinking: if 4 pages in it's still clear as mud, for Prius aficionados, does Toyota need to fix something, rework the menus.

 

I agree.

 

Actually when you shut your car down and the battery is hot the car suggestions or ask to use the AC when the car is plugged in. If you select yes when you plug your car in the AC will start. However if you're on a timer and you have it set for 10 hours later the battery will probably be cool down and you won't need it. You have the option not to use the AC when the car is plugged in. When you're driving when the AC is on and the battery is hot it was in the cabin air includes the battery.

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The battery cooling from A/C DOES occur if I say "Yes" to the request. I never use the timer system, and there IS a delay before the A/C comes on. Also, if I open the door (never locked), the A/C stops, but I can still hear the "secondary" cooling fan going. Bottom line, during Manual Charging sequences, if A/C cooling is authorized, it will come on after a delay.


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AChoiredTaste.com

 

If I just push the a/c button on the key fob, wouldn't that do the same thing?

 

Since I have not yet seen the battery cooler pop-up warning, I have no idea how this function works. One question I have is if you enable the battery cooler and you plug-in, does AC come on at the previously set temp on HVAC? What happens if you had AC off before you turn off the car. Does the battery cooler still turn on the AC? and if it does, at what temp?

 

In my case, the A/C was off when I shut off the motor. I have no idea what temperature it selected, I just know the car was cool when I opened the door during charging/cooling. The A/C would turn off, but the traction battery fan could still be heard. Authorizing the use of A/C during cooling increased charging time (start with "empty" traction battery) by about half an hour on my L2 charger.

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AChoiredTaste.com

 

OK, that means the Traction Battery Cooler function is different from remote A/C.

For this remote A/C to work, the AC must be preset.

 

Remember the car won't remotely cool (about 10 minutes), unless it is locked. This is when using key fob to trigger temperature control.

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AChoiredTaste.com

 

I previously had a 2010 Prius II and spent about $480 a year on gas. With my 2017 Prius Prime Premium I am on track to spend right about $480. Not much difference here in cost. However, I am doing a lot of good for this rock we call Home! I hardly ever use gas. However, I do not have access to free charging other than when I go to the gym. Hence, I am stuck paying .30 Kwh for L2 CHPT charging.

I will say when driving around the 2010 Prius it use to haunt me thinking that I could be harnessing energy from the L1 chargers in the parking lot while working out and use that to get me home. Plan's working thus far.

There are times I wonder if I am delusional. I barely put carbon in the air by means of transport but still feel like we are headed fast towards a black hole. I tried to do my part based on my financial means. If I were able to afford it, I would have bought an EV. It would be nice to have 250 mile average or 65 Kwh battery and not have to charge so often since most of my trips are short trips.